History & Society
In 1850, Auguste-François Perrinon, a Black French abolitionist, penned a powerful plea celebrating freedom and denouncing slavery’s roots in ignorance and violence. His manuscript reflects the enduring fight for dignity and justice in post-abolition France.
History & Society
Through 39 wartime letters to his sister, Captain Léon Rohlfs de Sussex shares his descent from Saint-Cyr cadet to a wounded, weary soul in the trenches of Verdun. His final note, written in pain, becomes a haunting witness to the human cost of World War I.
Arts & Culture
Taken in 1889, this rare albumen print captures one of the first images of the Eiffel Tower. More than a photo, it marks the dawn of modern Paris and the rise of a monument once scorned but now beloved worldwide.
Sports
This rare 1999 sketch, signed by Everest pioneer Edmund Hillary, echoes his legendary climb and lifelong dedication to the Sherpa people. One of only three known drawings, it reflects the quiet humility behind one of history’s greatest feats of endurance and generosity.
Sciences & Technology
In 1972, Jean-Michel Cousteau demanded scientific integrity for a Sea Museum project, signaling the Cousteau family's early environmental activism. Their stance helped shape public ocean awareness—decades before marine preservation became a global cause.
Arts & Culture
In 1960, despite disliking autograph requests, actor Anthony Quinn made a rare exception for 16-year-old fan Kenneth Morris, signing a heartfelt reply. This small gesture captured a moment of connection and kindness amid Hollywood fame.
History & Society
On June 18, 1940, Charles de Gaulle’s BBC broadcast from London launched the French Resistance. His handwritten draft, now preserved in the National Archives, stands as a powerful symbol of courage and defiance in France’s darkest hour.